Microsoft preps a docking station for the next generation Surface Pro

Detailed by Paul Thurrott as well as Neowin, Microsoft is currently preparing a docking station for the Surface Pro line of tablets. Easily one of the most requested accessories for the Surface tablet, a docking station will allow users to easily connect additional USB devices like a full sized keyboard or a wireless mouse. Specifically, the Surface Pro Docking Station will offer three USB 2.0 ports as well as one USB 3.0 port for high speed data transfers. In addition, the Surface Pro Docking Station includes a mini DisplayPort port to output video to an external display device like a projector.

Other ports on the Surface Pro Docking Station include a 1 Gbps Ethernet port for a direct connection into a router as well as a microphone port and audio output port for external speakers or a set of headphones. Connecting the Surface Pro into the docking station will be as simple as sliding the tablet into a groove along the accessory.

In order to utilize the new docking station, consumers will need to own the Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2. The docking station isn’t compatible with the Surface RT or the standard Surface 2. Expected before the end of the year, the Surface Pro 2 will likely contain a 4th generation Intel Core i5 Haswell processor and 8GB of RAM.

It’s likely that Microsoft will announce the docking station when the Surface 2 line of tablets is announced to the public. That could be as soon as October 18, the scheduled date for the release of Windows 8.1. According to an earlier report, Microsoft is also including a new type of “Power Cover” that will protect the screen as well as charge the device. The extra battery power should help extend daily usage of the device, ideal for anyone that uses the tablet during a commute. At this time, there’s no information on pricing of the new docking station.